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July 6, 2018

Taiwan protests Air India move to change name to Chinese Taipei

Taiwan on Thursday protested Air India’s decision to change its name to
Chinese Taipei on the website of the national carrier, even as India
defended the move saying it is consistent with international norms and
its position on the island.

However, Beijing welcomed the
decision by Air India, asserting that foreign companies operating in the
country must obey China’s law and respect its sovereignty and
territorial integrity.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
said, “Air India’s decision to rename the destination of Taiwan as
Chinese Taipei is entirely consistent with international norms and our
own position on Taiwan since 1949.”

In a statement, the Taipei
Economic and Cultural Center here (TECC) said it is deeply disappointed
with Air India’s decision and “regrets” that the move can be seen as a
gesture of succumbing to the “unreasonable and absurd pressure” from
China. It said the matter has been taken up with the MEA.

TECC
further said its Representative Ambassador Chung Kwang Tien calls upon
Air India to stand up against the “unreasonable demand” from China and
promptly restore the name of “Taiwan” on its website. It said he hoped
the Indian government would provide firm support to its public services
and private businesses to defend themselves from a foreign country’s
“bully actions”.

The TECC said it had lodged a formal note against the name change with the MEA and is waiting for its official response.

Earlier,
an Air India spokesperson said it followed the procedure as advised by
the MEA in updating its website with respect to changing the name of
Taiwan.